Mahela finds solace in young guns

The shining light was the batting of their young brigade, Karunaratne, Thirimanne and Chandimal, and the wily spin of left-arm tweaker Rangana Herath, who came away with seven wickets on the turning wicket.

Karunaratne scored 85 in the second innings, Thirimanne hit 91 and Chandimal a spirited rearguard unbeaten 62 in Sri Lanka's second innings. “The opportunity that came to Thiri he took pretty well, I thought Dimuth was a very talented batsman and he showed what he could do and Chandimal is performing every time he gets an opportunity in Test cricket,” skipper Mahela Jayawardene said.